Program Description

This is a travel only award. The Border designation of this award refers to geography as well as focus. The goal of the Fulbright Border Award is to enhance linkages and collaborative work between U.S. and Mexican institutions and scholars in the border regions. Grantees maintain their U.S. residence and travel into Mexico periodically to engage in research, teaching, or both. At least eight workdays per month should be spent in Mexico. While the primary focus of this grant is research, grantees may also teach university courses in their discipline as it pertains to U.S.-Mexico border relations.

As this grant is focused on US - Mexico relations, applications are limited to scholars from and conducting grant functions in border states. Eligible U.S. states are: Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. Eligible Mexican locations (when in accordance with U.S. Dept. of State travel warning - See Security Policy below) are: Baja California del Norte, Chihuahua, Sonora, Nuevo León, Saltillo, and Coahuila.

Grants are awarded in all disciplines except medicine, dentistry and veterinarian medicine where the project involves direct patient contact.

Projects in STEM fields or Public Health are considered priority areas of interest.

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars will be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary research or teaching activities.

Eligibility & Requirements

• PhD or other terminal degree (such as MFA, JD or MD) required.
• This award is open to all levels of scholars EXCEPT early career (Early career is defined as having acquired your PhD within the last five years, please see Postdoctoral Awards for more information).
• Applicants must be affiliated with a U.S. university or research facility located in a U.S. - Mexico border state. Eligible states are California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
• Ideal candidates should live no more than 350 miles (approx 500 km) from their proposed host institution in Mexico.
• A letter of invitation from a qualified Mexican university, accredited institution or research facility located in a U.S. - Mexico border state (with the exception of Tamaulipas) is required. Eligible states are Baja California Norte, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo León (Locations must comply with U.S. Dept. of State Travel Warnings - see Security Policy below). Candidates should include the letter of invitation at the time of application submission.
• Candidates living, working or studying in Mexico are not eligible to apply.
• Candidates must have U.S. citizenship. Dual citizens are welcome to apply.
• Candidates with a permanent resident card in Mexico are not eligible to apply.
• Intermediate proficiency in Spanish is required. The level of Spanish language proficiency must be commensurate with the requirements of the project. Applicants must submit a language proficiency report.
• Projects must be three to nine months. Academic year grants are preferred. Nine months grants start in August or September. One semester grants must correspond to the host institution's academic calendar. All grants must be completed by June 30.

To apply for this award, please submit your application here:
Fulbright Border Scholar Award, award #13449-MX US Scholar Application_Fulbright_Border

For further information please contact westhem@iie.org

Benefits

Unlike other Fulbright U.S. Scholar grants, the Border Program grant does not include subsistence allowance, professional stipend, relocation allowance, dependent allowance, or a separate international flight reimbursement. A fixed monthly stipend is awarded for travel only:

• Monthly travel allowance of $1,300 USD
• No relocation allocation
• No international airfare included
• No dependent allowance included
• Reimbursable donated materials up to $750 USD
• Airfare to attend Welcome Orientation and/or Midyear reunion at local rates
• $500 USD held against Final installment pending completion of grant obligations
• Emergency health benefits provided by the U.S. Department of State

Security Policy

The commission follows the recommendations of both the Mexican government and the U.S. Embassy Travel Warnings when placing U.S. Fulbright grantees in Mexico. Applications or affiliations located in areas where there is a level 4 U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory in effect will NOT be considered. See the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories webpage for further information.

FAQ

1. Do I need to speak Spanish fluently to be awarded this grant?
• Candidates will be interviewed in Spanish. Successful grantees will have a level of Spanish sufficient to carry out tasks proposed in the grant proposal.

2. Are U.S. citizens who live or work in Mexico eligible to apply for the Fulbright-García Robles grant?
• No. U.S. citizens can live or work anywhere else in the world, but do not qualify for a grant to Mexico if they live or work in Mexico.

3. Are there rules on citizenship?
• No. All U.S. citizens, including naturalized and dual citizens, are eligible to apply.

4. Will my grant be reduced if I receive partial or full salary during a sabbatical?
• No. Sabbatical earnings are considered maintenance for a grantee´s U.S. expenses.

5. What if I have a simultaneous grant?
• If you receive another grant, your Fulbright-García Robles grant could be reduced if they duplicate benefits.

6. What if I don´t have a letter of affiliation at the time of application?
• Applicants should have a letter of affiliation at the time of application. If you do not, a letter of affiliation will be required prior to being interviewed.

7. What are the grant benefits?
• There are a variety of U.S. Scholar programs which offer different benefits. Please see individual programs for specific grant benefits.

8. Can I defer the grant to the following year if necessary?
• No. Fulbright policies do not allow grant deferrals.

9. Can I make changes to my proposal before the grant starts?
• Substantial changes to grant projects cannot be made either before or during the grant. However, date changes may be approved with advance written notice, approval from the host institution, COMEXUS and ECA.

10. Can I reach out to other US Scholars to Mexico with further questions?
• Yes, please find a list of US Scholar alumni here.

Application deadline: September 15, 2022.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by Zoom or videoconference.

Final results announced in March 2023.

Start dates of awards correspond with academic semesters: August 1, September 1 or January 1, all awards must be completed by June 30, 2024.

All grants are a minimum of three months and a maximum of nine months.

The US-Mexico Commission for Educational & Cultural Exchange is the leading binational agency dedicated to promoting understanding between the United States and Mexico through educational exchange of academics and professionals who have demonstrated excellence in their field.

For additional details: www.comexus.org.mx
Contact: Pedro Antonino
pedro.antonino@comexus.org.mx
Berlín 18 Piso 2 Colonia Juárez
C.P 06600 Mexico DF
+52 (55) 5592.2861

@comexus
/ComexusFulbrightGR